Network-based design systems and methods

• US 6,741,265 B2
• Filed: 11/24/1999
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ghosh, Asish, Wheeler, Scott Thomas, Avery, John Arley
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US09/449,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 345/733, 345/738, 345/751, 345/753, 345/755, 345/759, 345/764, 345/771, 345/835, 345/846, 345/964, 345/970, 700/83, 700/86, 700/95-97, 700/103, 700/106, 700/107, 709/204, 709/205, 705/28, 705/29
• US Class Current: 715/751
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/3835 Designing moulds, e.g. using CAD-CAM
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32238 Scheduler triggers generation of nc program for actual selected machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35008 Www cad, world wide design and manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35034 Adapt design to customer feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/964 CAD or CAM, e.g. interactive design tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/97 Instrumentation and component modelling, e.g. interactive control panel

Abstract

A network based product design system and method allows product design. The system comprises a central processing unit capable of product design; at least one communication link allows selective two-way communication to the central processing means; and a network selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party through the at least one communication link. Each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding a product design, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party. The method for designing a product over a network comprises displaying a model on a central processing unit, the model being representative of the product that is to be designed; permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit over communication links; and selectively interconnecting and communicating the product design through the central processing unit to at least one party over the at least one communication links.

Claims

1. A network based product design system for product design, the system comprising:

a network-based central processing unit capable of product design, the central processing unit comprising;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the network based product design system including a design for six sigma process; and

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product;

at least one communication link that allows selective two-way communication to the central processing unit; and

a network that selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party through the at least one communication link,

wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding the product design, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the network selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party in real time.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the network selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party in near real time.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one communication link comprises the Internet.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one communication link comprises at least one of phone modem, network connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises computer-aided design tools capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided design tools.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises computer-aided manufacturing tools capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided manufacturing tools.

8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises computer-aided engineering tools capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided engineering tools.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises at least one of computer-aided design tools, computer-aided engineering tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using at least one of the computer-aided design tools, computer-aided engineering tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises graphic user interface capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the graphic user interface.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit archives the input by each party, wherein each party may access archived input.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises transfer functions to analyze and evaluate the input with regard to the product design.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit further comprises quality-related analysis tools to analyze and evaluate the product design.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit communicates information concerning design and manufacture of tools and molds.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit communicates information concerning design and manufacture of tools and molds for plastic-formation processes.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the central processing unit communicates information concerning design and manufacture of tools and molds for plastic-formation processes comprises tool and mold design and manufacture by at least one of machining, electro-discharge machining, and welding.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit communicates information concerning design and manufacture of tools and molds, and the central processing unit provides evaluation and analysis of mold filing and mold cooling.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the central processing unit provides evaluation and analysis of mold filing and mold cooling using computer-related steps, processes, analogies, and transfer functions, and the transfer functions comprises transfer functions that are at least one of originally provided in the network-based design system, created by the network-based design system, modified by the network-based design system, or combinations thereof.

19. A network based product design system for product design, the system comprising:

a central processing unit that is capable of product design, the central processing unit comprises;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the network based product design system including a design for six sigma process;

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product; and

at least one of transfer functions and quality-related analysis tools to analyze and evaluate the product design;

at least one communication link that allows selective two-way communication to the central processing unit in at least near real time, wherein the at least one communication link comprises at least one of phone modem, network connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof; and

a network that selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party through the at least one communication link, wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding the product design, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, the central processing unit comprises at least one of graphic user interface, computer-aided design tools, computer-aided engineering tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools, wherein each party may make input to the product design using at least one of the graphic user interface computer-aided design tools, computer-aided engineering tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

20. A network based product design system for product design, the system comprising:

a central processing unit that is capable of product design, the central processing unit comprises an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the network based product design system and at least one of transfer functions and quality-related analysis tools to analyze and evaluate at least one of product design, and design and manufacture of tools and molds for plastic-formation processes, the manufacture of tools and molds comprising at least one of machining, electro-discharge machining, and welding, the central processing unit also comprising tools for evaluation and analysis of mold filing and mold cooling using computer-related steps, processes, analogies, and transfer functions, and the transfer functions comprises transfer functions that are at least one of originally provided in the network-based design system, created by the network-based design system, modified by the network-based design system, or combinations thereof;

at least one communication link that allows selective two-way communication to the central processing unit in at least near real time, wherein the at least one communication link comprises at least one of phone modem, network connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof; and

a network that selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party through the at least one communication link, wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding a product design, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, the central processing unit comprises at least one of graphic user interface, computer-aided design tools, computer-aided engineering tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools, wherein each party may make input to the product design using at least one of the graphic user interface computer-aided design tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

21. A method for designing a product over a network, the method being capable of product design, the method comprising:

displaying a product model on a central processing unit capable of product design, the model being representative of the product that is to be designed and wherein the central processing unit comprises;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the method for designing a product over a network, said analytical tool including a design for six sigma process; and

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product;

permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit for designing the product over at least one communication link; and

selectively interconnecting and communicating the product design through the central processing unit over the at least one communication link, wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding the product design, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of selectively interconnecting and communicating comprises selectively interconnecting and communicating the central processing unit to at least one part in real time.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of selectively interconnecting and communicating comprises selectively interconnecting and communicating to at least one party in near real time.

24. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit over communication links comprises permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit over the Internet.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit over communication links comprises permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit over communication links over at least one of phone moderm, network connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof.

26. A method according to claim 21, further comprising designing a product using computer-aided design tools capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided design tools.

27. A method according to claim 21, further comprising designing a product using at least one of computer-aided engineering tools and computer-aided manufacturing tools capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided manufacturing tools.

28. A method according to claim 21, further comprising designing a product using graphic user interface capable of product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using graphic user interface.

29. A method according to claim 21, further comprising archiving input by the central processing unit, wherein each party may access archived input.

30. A method according to claim 21, further comprising analyzing and evaluating input for product design using transfer functions.

31. A method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of analyzing and evaluating input for product design using quality-related analysis tools.

32. A method for designing a product over a network, the method being capable of product design, the method comprising:

displaying a product model on a central processing unit for designing products, the model being representative of the product that is to be designed and wherein the central processing unit comprises;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the method for designing a product over a network, said analytical tool including a design for six sigma process; and

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product;

permitting two-way communication to the central processing unit over communication links in at least near real time, wherein the at least one communication link comprises at least one of phone modem, network connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof;

selectively interconnecting and communicating the product design through the central processing unit over the at least one communication link;

allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party; and

analyzing and evaluating the product design using at least one of transfer functions end quality-related analysis tools, wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding the product design, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, the central processing unit comprises at least one of graphic user interface, computer-aided design tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools, wherein each party may make input to the product design using at least one of the graphic user interface computer-aided design tools, and computer-aided manufacturing tools, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

33. A network based product design system for product design, the system comprising:

network-based central processing means capable of product design, the central processing means comprising;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the network based product design system including a design for six sigma process; and

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product;

communication link means that allows selective two-way communication to the central processing means; and

network means that selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing means to at least one party through the at least one communication link means, wherein each party that is connected to the central processing means is capable of providing input regarding the product design, the network means being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the network means selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing means to at least one party in real time.

35. A system according to claim 33, wherein the network means selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing means to at least one party in near real time.

36. A system according to claim 33, wherein the communication link means comprises the Internet.

37. A system according to claim 33, wherein the communication link means comprises at least one of phone modem, network means connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof.

38. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means further comprises at least one of computer-aided engineering tools and computer-aided design means for product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided design means.

39. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means further comprises computer-aided manufacturing means for product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the computer-aided manufacturing means.

40. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means further comprises at least one of computer-aided design means, computer-aided engineering tools, and computer-aided manufacturing means for product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using at least one of the computer-aided design means and computer-aided manufacturing means.

41. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means further comprises graphic user interface means for product design, wherein each party may make input to the product design using the graphic user interface means.

42. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means archives the input by each party, wherein each party may access archived input.

43. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means further comprises transfer functions to analyze and evaluate the input with regard to the product design.

44. A system according to claim 33, wherein the central processing means comprises quality-related analysis tools to analyze and evaluate the product design.

45. A network means based product design system for product design, the system comprising:

central processing means that is capable of product design, the central processing means comprises;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the network means based product design system including a design for six sigma process;

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product; and

at least one of transfer functions and quality-related analysis tools to analyze and evaluate the product design;

communication link means that allows selective two-way communication to the central processing means in at least near real time, wherein the at least one communication link means comprises at least one of phone modem, network means connection, radio communication and other wireless communication systems, cellular communication, satellite communication, web access communication, and Internet access communication, and combinations thereof; and

network means that selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing means to at least one party through the communication link means,

wherein each party that is connected to the central processing means is capable of providing input regarding the product design, the network means being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, the central processing means comprises at least one of graphic user interface means, computer-aided engineering tools, computer-aided design means, and computer-aided manufacturing means, wherein each party may make input to the product design using at least one of the graphic user interface means, computer-aided design means, and computer-aided manufacturing means, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.

46. A network based product design system for product design, the system comprising:

a network-based central processing unit capable of product design, the central processing unit comprising;

an analytical tool to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the network based product design system, wherein said analytical tool includes software to implement a method including;

examining a product design process performed by the network based product design system for one or more detects, wherein each said defect is a component of the product design process that can be improved;

assigning a sigma value to said product design process in response to the number of said defects, wherein said sigma value indicates how well said product design process is performing; and

modifying said product design process in response to said sigma value reaching a pre-selected threshold; and

an order placement tool to enter a request for a product including design criteria for the product, to receive bids for the product from a supplier or a manufacturer, to place an order for the product with said supplier or said manufacturer, and to schedule production of the product;

at least one communication link that allows selective two-way communication to the central processing unit; and

a network that selectively interconnects and communicates the central processing unit to at least one party through the at least one communication link, wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit is capable of providing input regarding the product design including information concerning design and manufacture of tools and molds for use in manufacturing said product using a plastic formation process, the network being capable of allowing the input to be simultaneously viewed by each party as the input is being made so that input made by one party is capable of being accessed by at least one other party, and wherein each party that is connected to the central processing unit selectively blocks particular parties from accessing the input regarding the product design.